i8o 
Breeding of Hybrid Doves. 
Breeding of Hybrid Doves. 
By S. Williams, F.Z.S. 
Last year I recorded the breeding of a hybrid between 
the Vinaceous Turtle Dove {Turtur vinaceus) and the Enghsh 
Turtle Dove {Turtur turtur). This bird has been successfully 
wintered in my garden aviary and has proved to be a male. 't 
differs only from its father, the Vinaceous Turtle, in the colour 
of the eye, which is light hazel, the same as Turtur turtur, and 
having about one-third less mottling round the neck. I had 
several clutches from this pair of doves, but only the one egg 
fertile. Early this year the same pair went to nest, and one 
Mr. S. Williams' Outdoor Aviary. 
youngster was hatched, the other egg being clear. Everything 
went well, and in ten days the baby was nice and plump and 
beginning to feather well. On the eleventh day, after feeding 
my birds I must have only half fastened the aviary door, and on 
my return from town I found the door open and the hen Turtle 
missing. The chance of rearing another hybrid now seemed 
hopeless. xMthough I had Canaries, Greenfinches, Weavers, 
and a pair of Diamond Doves in the aviary; only the mother of 
